The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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