The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation 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 reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. The president signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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