The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to the president for his endorsement. Trump stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public identifying details of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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