The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would make public specific data of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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