The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his signature. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he feared the measure would reveal personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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