The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next heads to Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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