The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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