The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to legislation that will force the release of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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