The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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