The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of case documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months rejected the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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