The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his approval. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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