The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to forestall the joint action 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 requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would reveal personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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