The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his approval. He stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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