The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to Trump for his approval. The president stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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