The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his approval. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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