The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to the president for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal specific data of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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