The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his signature. The president 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 Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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