The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of investigative files associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
Other News Updates
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