The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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