The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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