The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to the president for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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