The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to the president for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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