Congress Passes Bill to Make Public Epstein Files
The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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