The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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