The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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