The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to the president for his approval. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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