The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Trump for his approval. The president indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal specific data of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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