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The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of investigative files concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.

Swift Approval in Both Chambers

Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.

Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”

Future Action

This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.

Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.

Response

Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.

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