The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of investigative files related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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