The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Trump for his approval. The president indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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