The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting 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 Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to the president for his approval. The president stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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