The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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