The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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