The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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