The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would disclose specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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