The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to the president for his endorsement. The president indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal specific data of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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