The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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