The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
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 overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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