The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to the president for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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