The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of case documents associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public specific data of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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