The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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