The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of case documents concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Trump for his signature. He signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were seated in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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