There Room from the Representative United States of America approved by a huge margin – 423 votes in favor and only one against (filed by Clay Higgins, a Republican congressman from Louisiana) — a bill that would require the Department of Justice to make public all unclassified documents related to the case Jeffrey Epstein.
The vote was carried out through extraordinary procedures that required two-thirds majority: a result that proves an unusual transversal consensus, made possible by increasing pressure both from public opinion and from deputies of both parties. Consent is also possible with the use of a discharge petitiona rare tool used by a large number of lawmakers to force pressure on Republican leadership in the House, which initially blocked the proposal.
The political context is characterized by a very significant evolution: the presidency Donald Trumpwho initially opposed the measure, suddenly changed his position, stating that he would sign the bill if it reached his desk. Even the Chairman of the Board, Mike Johnsonwhile defining the text “disabled” and incomplete in terms of protection, choosing not to block the vote. It was in this context that the measure, which had been stalled for months, was approved with extraordinary speed.
Now the question turns to Senatewhere the process becomes more complex. Republican majority leader in the US Senate, John Thunesuggested that a vote in the upper house could also take place tonight, without amendments, given the majority vote in the House. The current makeup of the chamber consists of the Republican Party in the majority with 53 seats, while the Democratic Party has 45 seats and two independent caucuses with the Democratic Party. Under normal circumstances, a simple majority, so at least 51 votes, would be sufficient to pass the bill. However, the real unknown is procedural: to overcome possible obstacles and bring the measure to a final vote, it may be necessary to make efforts “clothes”, which requires 60 votes clothes it is an instrument that allows the Senate to close debate. To approve it, a three-fifths vote in the Senate is required, that is, 60 out of 100 votes, apart from the simple majority required to approve the law. If clothes approved, debate closes after a limited time and a final vote can be taken by an ordinary majority (51 votes).
That means that, even with a majority, Republicans will need the support of at least some Democratic senators or, at the very least, their refusal to cut corners. filibustera parliamentary tactic that allows a senator, or a group of senators, to prolong debate on a measure for a nearly unlimited period of time, thereby effectively preventing it from reaching a final vote. There is no need to talk endlessly: today it is enough to express the intention to continue the debate. Likewise if there is no agreement bipartisanMinority groups that are insufficient in number to win votes can still obstruct the process of action.
Republican Majority Leader, John Thunehas not indicated whether and when such measures will be implemented. Uncertainty about the timetable is a crucial element: even given the necessary numbers, the political decision to proceed quickly is not a sure thing. Another important point concerns the possibility of the Senate introducing the bill changes to the text. If this happens, the law would have to return to the DPR for new approval, paving the way for internal negotiations and a potential slowdown.
Internal criticism has not dissipated as the House voted: some representatives, including Republicans, believe the bill does not protect victims enough or adequately protect sensitive material related to child abuse, an aspect that could prompt some senators to request amendments. At the same time, the magnitude of bipartisan support in the House reflects growing demands for transparency, which have become politically and symbolically important in the United States.
Meanwhile, the “Epstein cyclone” had other extraordinary consequences in the United States: Larry Summerformer Treasury Secretary, stepped down from his public duties following the release of new emails revealing embarrassing contacts with Epstein. Summers acknowledged his guilt and embarrassment at continuing to communicate with the financier even the day before his arrest, even seeking his advice on personal matters. While walking away from public commitments, he will maintain his own professorship at Harvarda choice that caused controversy.
He was the first American figure to pay direct consequences for the scandal, despite numerous alleged victims and previous revelations about ties between the two, ranging from donations to flights on the “Lolita Express.”
