The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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