The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his approval. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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