The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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