The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to the president for his signature. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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