The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his approval. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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