The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to the president for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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