The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Trump for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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