The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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