The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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