The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to the president for his approval. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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