The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Trump for his approval. The president stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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