The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. He signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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