The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to the president for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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