The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to the president for his endorsement. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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