The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Trump for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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