The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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