The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of investigative files concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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