The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure 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 shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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