The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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