The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to the president for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months rejected the outcry over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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