Congress Approves Legislation to Release Epstein Files
The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to the president for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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