The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to Trump for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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