The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people 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 urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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