The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his signature. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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