The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would reveal specific data of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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