The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to the president for his signature. Trump indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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