The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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