The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Trump for his approval. Trump stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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