The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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