The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of official records associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to the president for his approval. He stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for months downplayed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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