The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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