The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to the president for his signature. He signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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