The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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