The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House changed course after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to the president for his signature. Trump signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a House gallery, cheered after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would disclose personal information of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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