The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. He indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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