The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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