The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. The president indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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