The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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