The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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