The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will require the publication of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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