The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to the president for his endorsement. Trump stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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