The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to the president for his endorsement. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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