The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his endorsement. He signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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