The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous 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. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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