The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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