The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Trump for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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