The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were seated 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 feared the measure would make public identifying details of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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