The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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