Senate Greenlights Measure to Release Jeffrey Epstein Files
The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to Trump for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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