The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. He stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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