The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to the president for his approval. He stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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