In a landmark move towards transparency, the United States Congress has given its final approval to legislation that will compel the full disclosure of all government documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
Overwhelming Bipartisan Support in Congress
The House of Representatives set the stage with a near-unanimous vote, demonstrating overwhelming cross-party consensus. The final tally stood at 427 votes in favour with just a single representative opposed. The decisive result was met with audible cheers within the legislative chamber, signalling the intense public and political pressure surrounding the case.
Following swiftly on the heels of the House's action, Senate leaders from both major parties pledged to expedite the process. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer declared, "As soon as it comes over from the House, we will pass the House's bill without changes, without delay, and we will finally get this done." With the Republican-controlled Senate set to formally transmit the bill on Wednesday, according to Majority Leader John Thune, the legislation is now on a direct path to the White House.
Trump's Surprising Reversal and the Road to Release
The bill's progression marks a significant political development, not least because of President Donald Trump's recent and unexpected change of stance. After spending weeks dismissing the push for disclosure as a Democratic "hoax", Mr Trump performed a sharp U-turn over the weekend, publicly urging Congressional Republicans to support the so-called Epstein Files Bill.
Speaking at the White House ahead of the crucial vote, the President sought to distance himself from Epstein, stating, "I threw him out of my club many years ago because I thought he was a sick pervert and I guess I would turn out to be right." He has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to his past association with the disgraced financier.
Once President Trump signs the bill into law, the clock starts ticking. The legislation mandates that the US Justice Department has 30 days to release the files, a move that could unveil a vast trove of emails, messages, and other documents pertaining to one of the most high-profile criminal cases in recent memory.
A Victory for Survivors and a Moment of Reckoning
The Congressional vote was preceded by emotional appeals from survivors of Epstein's abuse, who stood alongside lawmakers on the steps of the Capitol. Their long fight for transparency and accountability reached a pivotal moment.
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a prominent Trump ally who had recently fallen out with the president, voiced her support for the survivors. "These women have fought the most horrific fight that no woman should have to fight," she said. "And they did it by banding together and never giving up."
Survivor Liz Stein delivered a powerful message to legislators: "We have told our stories over and over and over. Now it's time to see who is listening. We ask that you vote to release the files. All of them."
This legislative action follows the recent release of thousands of pages of documents by the House Oversight Committee, which included references to numerous powerful figures, including Mr Trump, the UK's former US ambassador Lord Mandelson, and Prince Andrew. All have denied any misconduct related to their associations with Epstein.
