The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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