The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of case documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. He stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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