The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of investigative files concerning the late sex offender 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. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his signature. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would disclose specific data of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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