The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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