The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public personal information of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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