The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following 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 followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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