The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance 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 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to the president for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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