The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of case documents related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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