The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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