The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. Trump indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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