The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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