The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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