The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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