The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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