The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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