Senate Passes Legislation to Disclose Epstein Files
The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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