The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his signature. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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