The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. The president signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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