The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will require the publication of case documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next heads to the president for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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