The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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