The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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