The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to the president for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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