The Senate 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 lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to the president for his signature. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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