Senate Passes Measure to Disclose Epstein Files
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Trump for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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