Congress Passes Legislation to Make Public Epstein Files
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his signature. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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