The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to the president for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public personal information of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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