The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will require the publication of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to the president for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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