The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. He signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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