The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would disclose personal information of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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