The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort 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 does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next heads to Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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