The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to the president for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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