The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his endorsement. He signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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