The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval 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 near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. The president stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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