The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of case documents concerning the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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