The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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