The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to the president for his endorsement. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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