The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued 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 individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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