The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. The president stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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