The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will require the publication of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his signature. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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