The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval 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 overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to the president for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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