The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to the president for his signature. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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