The Senate 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 the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. He indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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