The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of case documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Trump for his endorsement. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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