The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to the president for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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