The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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