The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued 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. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to the president for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
Other News Updates
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