The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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