The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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