The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Trump for his approval. The president indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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