The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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