The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. He stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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