The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives 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 stated he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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