The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will require the publication of case documents related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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