The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would make public personal information of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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