The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his signature. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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