The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next will be sent to Trump for his approval. The president indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others involved in the investigation.
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