The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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