The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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