The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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