The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House relented after months of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to the president for his signature. The president stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would reveal specific data of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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