The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. He stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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