The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files related to the late sex offender 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 administration gave in 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.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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