The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public specific data of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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