The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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