The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. The president indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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