The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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