Congress Passes Legislation to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Files
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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