The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Trump for his signature. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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