The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president 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 House bill over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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