The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
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 asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to the president for his endorsement. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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