The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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