Congress Greenlights Measure to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Files
The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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