The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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