The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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