The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to block the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal personal information of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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