The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his approval. The president indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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