The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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