The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, 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 enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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