The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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