The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. He stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose specific data of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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