Senate Approves Bill to Disclose Jeffrey Epstein Documents
The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will require the publication of case documents associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to the president for his signature. He indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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