The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Trump for his approval. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public personal information of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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