The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his signature. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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