The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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