Senate Greenlights Legislation to Make Public Epstein Documents
The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to the president for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public specific data of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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