The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Trump for his approval. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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