The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to the president for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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