The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to the president for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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