The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his approval. The president signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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