The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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