The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
Other News Updates
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