The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted 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 near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to the president for his signature. Trump signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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