The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. He indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, 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, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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