Congress Approves Bill to Release Epstein Files
The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of official records concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Trump for his signature. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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