The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose personal information of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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