The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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