The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his endorsement. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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