The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of case documents related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to Trump for his approval. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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