The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, 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 massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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