The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to Donald 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 Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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