The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would make public specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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