The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to the president for his endorsement. He signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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