Congress Approves Measure to Disclose Jeffrey Epstein Files
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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