The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged 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 avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
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. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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