The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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