The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to the president for his approval. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public personal information of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
Additional News Updates
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- Large-scale operations move to Raleigh, with representatives confirming ongoing activities.
