The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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