The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to the president for his approval. He stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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