The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure 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 Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to the president for his approval. The president indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he feared the measure would reveal personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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