The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next heads to the president for his endorsement. He indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, 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
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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