The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will require the publication of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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