The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to the president for his approval. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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