The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the deceased 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 forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Trump for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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