The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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