The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his approval. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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