The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would disclose personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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