The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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