The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next goes to Trump for his approval. He indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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