The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to the president for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public specific data of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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