The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“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 requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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