The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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