The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months rejected the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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