The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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