The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to the president for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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