The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. The president indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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