The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to Trump for his signature. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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