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 overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. The president stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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