The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Trump for his approval. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public identifying details of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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