The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would make public specific data of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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