The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to the president for his signature. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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