The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to the president for his approval. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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