The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure 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 administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Trump for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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