The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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