The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his approval. The president indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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