The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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