The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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