The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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