The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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