The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to the president for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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