Senate Passes Measure to Release Jeffrey Epstein Files
The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted 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 overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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