The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to the president for his signature. The president signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months rejected the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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