Senate Approves Measure to Make Public Epstein Documents
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to the president for his approval. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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