Congress Greenlights Bill to Release Epstein Files
The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his approval. The president indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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