The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure 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 change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging 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. The president stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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