The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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