The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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