Senate Passes Measure to Make Public Jeffrey Epstein Files
The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to the president for his signature. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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