The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his signature. The president signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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