The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Trump for his signature. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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