Congress Passes Legislation to Release Epstein Files
The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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