The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his approval. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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