The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to the president for his approval. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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