The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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