The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his endorsement. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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