The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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