The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his signature. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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