The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to the president for his approval. The president signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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