The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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