The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Trump for his endorsement. He signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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