The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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