The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to the president for his endorsement. The president indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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