The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to the president for his endorsement. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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