The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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