The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would disclose specific data of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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