The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. He indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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