The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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