The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage 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 voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his approval. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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