The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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