The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to the president for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he worried the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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