The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of case documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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