The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. The president indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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