The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months rejected the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of people, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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