The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require 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 public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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