The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to Trump for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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