The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would disclose specific data of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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