The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of case documents related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his approval. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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