The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of case documents related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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