The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. The president indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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