The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Trump for his approval. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would reveal specific data of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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