The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. The president indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their supporters who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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