The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to the president for his signature. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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