The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to Trump for his endorsement. He stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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