The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to the president for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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