The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Trump for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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