The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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