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 pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would disclose specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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