Congress Approves Measure to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Files
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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