The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would reveal personal information of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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