The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous 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 voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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