The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Trump for his approval. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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