The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his approval. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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