The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure 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 reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. 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 pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to the president for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though 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 sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal specific data of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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