The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his approval. He stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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