The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of official records associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to the president for his approval. The president stated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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