The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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