Senate Greenlights Legislation to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Files
The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Trump for his endorsement. Trump indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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