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, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team 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.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Trump for his approval. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would disclose personal information of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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