The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next heads to Trump for his approval. The president signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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