Congress Passes Measure to Release Jeffrey Epstein Files
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
Additional Stories
- The president faces criticism for calling a journalist as ‘piggy’ during a disagreement onboard Air Force One.
- Judge disallows ‘discriminatory’ maps in the state of Texas that awarded Republicans extra districts.
- Many of Department of Education's authorities reassigned to different agencies as part of White House efforts.
- Large-scale operations expand to Raleigh, with authorities noting ongoing activities.
