The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. Trump indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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