The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“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 requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to the president for his signature. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated 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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