The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to the president for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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