The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to the president for his signature. He signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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