The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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