The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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