The US Congress on Tuesday passed a motion calling for the release of documents concerning the Jeffrey Epstein sex abuse scandal, which may implicate Republican President Donald Trump.
The House of Representatives voted on the motion on Tuesday morning, approving it overwhelmingly, with 427 in favour and just one against: Republican congressman Clay Higgins from Louisiana.
The US Senate then passed the motion by unanimous consent, without having to submit it to a vote.
The measure will now be sent to Trump’s desk for approval. The president had earlier indicated that he would sign the bill if Congress approved it, despite previously dismissing the matter as a “Democratic hoax.”
The legislators' near-unanimous vote came after Trump did a complete about-face and urged Republicans to support the release of the documents, stating, “We have nothing to hide.”
Democrats feel the files could contain damaging information about Trump, as the documents are related to Justice Department investigations into Epstein, who died in prison and was convicted as a sex offender.
Last week, leaked emails suggested that Epstein had claimed that Trump “knew about the girls.”
Documents released in recent months have revealed a prolonged friendship between Trump and Epstein.
However, Epstein was reportedly banned from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida after allegations arose that he acted inappropriately towards young girls working at the spa.
The White House has previously stated that Epstein was banned because he was a “creep” who “stole young girls” from the resort.
