The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months dismissed the outcry 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 said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were watching from a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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