The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to the president for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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