The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of investigative files related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would reveal specific data of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
Additional News Updates
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