The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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