The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed 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 individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. He stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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