The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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