The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. He signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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