The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Trump for his approval. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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