The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his endorsement. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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