The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, 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 House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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