The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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