The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to the president for his endorsement. He signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would disclose specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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