The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to the president for his approval. The president indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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