The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House relented after an extended period of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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