The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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