Congress Approves Bill to Release Jeffrey Epstein Files
The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of official records associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to the president for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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