The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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