The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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