The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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