The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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