The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his approval. He stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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