The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. He signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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