The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team 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 Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period 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 stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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