The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Trump for his signature. He indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who stated he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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