The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. The president indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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