Senate Passes Bill to Disclose Jeffrey Epstein Files
The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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