The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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