The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to the president for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would reveal personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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