The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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