The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to the president for his approval. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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