The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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