The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to the president for his signature. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would reveal specific data of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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