The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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