The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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