The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next heads to Trump for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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