The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would disclose specific data of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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