The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of investigative files related to the deceased 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 an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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