The Senate 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 lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. He signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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