The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of case documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House gave in 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.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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