The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Trump for his signature. The president signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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