The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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