The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for months rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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