The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will mandate the disclosure of official records associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
This legislation next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. The president indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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