The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to the president for his signature. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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