The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. He stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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