The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. The president stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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