The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Although the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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