The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. The president signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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