Congress Greenlights Bill to Make Public Epstein Documents
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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