The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal personal information of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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