The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following 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 forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public specific data of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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