The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed 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 recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. He stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for months rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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