The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Trump for his approval. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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