The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to the president for his signature. Trump stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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