The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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