The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Trump for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public specific data of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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