Congress Greenlights Bill to Disclose Epstein Files

The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.

Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers

The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.

The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”

Presidential Signature

The measure next heads to Trump for his signature. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.

Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.

Reaction

Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.

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