The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to the president for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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