The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of case documents associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to block the joint action involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to the president for his approval. The president signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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