The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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