The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation 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 reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to Trump for his signature. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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