The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to the president for his signature. He signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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