The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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