The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of case documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his approval. The president indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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