The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. The president indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would make public specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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