The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of official records associated with the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to the president for his approval. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with victims 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 reveal specific data of people, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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