The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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