The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will require the publication of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up 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 suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next heads to the president for his signature. Trump indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for months rejected the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would reveal personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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