The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would make public personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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