The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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