The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to the president for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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