The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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