The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Trump for his approval. He indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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