The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will require the publication of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded 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 voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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