The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to the president for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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