The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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