The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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