The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to Trump for his endorsement. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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