The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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