The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to the president for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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