The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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