The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of case documents related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to the president for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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