The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to the president for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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