The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. The president indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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