The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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