The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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