The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. He indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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