The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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