The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his approval. Trump stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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