The Senate on this Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next heads to the president for his endorsement. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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