The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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