The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to the president for his endorsement. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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