The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. The president stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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