The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to the president for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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