The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. He stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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