The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to Trump for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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