The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of case documents related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Trump for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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