The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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