The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay 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 Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Trump for his endorsement. Trump stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of witnesses, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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