The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his endorsement. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public specific data of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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