The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to the president for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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