The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting 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 patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Trump for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public identifying details of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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