The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would reveal specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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