The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next heads to the president for his approval. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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