The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating 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 long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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