The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to the president for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose personal information of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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