The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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