The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to Trump for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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