The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to the president for his approval. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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