The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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