The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. The president indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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