The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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