The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Trump for his approval. He stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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