The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous 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. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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