The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his signature. The president indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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