The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his signature. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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