The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to the president for his endorsement. The president signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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