The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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