The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to the president for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months rejected the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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