The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months rejected the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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