The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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