The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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