The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to the president for his endorsement. The president indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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