The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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