The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. Trump signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would reveal personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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