The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of case documents related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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