The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose personal information of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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