The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next heads to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would disclose specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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