The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of investigative files associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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