The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of case documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. He signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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