The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. The president stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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