The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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