The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to Trump for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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