The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his approval. Trump stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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