The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, 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,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to the president for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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