Congress Approves Measure to Make Public Epstein Documents
The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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