The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months rejected the outcry over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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