The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would disclose personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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