The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. The president indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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