The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous 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 controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. He signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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