The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of case documents related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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