The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“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 adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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