The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Trump for his approval. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal specific data of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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