The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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