The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to Trump for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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