The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his approval. Trump stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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