The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to the president for his approval. He indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure 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 supporters who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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