The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return 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 recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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