The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require 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. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. Trump stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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