The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his endorsement. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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