The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to the president for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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