The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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