The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after months of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval 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.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. Trump indicated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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