The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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