The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his approval. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims 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 stated he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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