The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile 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. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued 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 avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to the president for his signature. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose personal information of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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