The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Trump for his signature. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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