The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal specific data of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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