The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Trump for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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