The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval 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 reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens 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 adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to Trump for his signature. The president stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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