The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted 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 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to the president for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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