The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose personal information of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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