The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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