The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would make public identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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