The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to the president for his approval. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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