The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift 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. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to the president for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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