The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Trump for his approval. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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