The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his approval. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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