The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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