The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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