The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to the president for his approval. The president indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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