The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to Trump for his signature. He stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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