The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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