The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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