The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Trump for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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