The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval 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 lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to the president for his approval. Trump indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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