The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. He stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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