The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
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 overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would reveal specific data of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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