The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to the president for his approval. He stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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