The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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