The Senate on this 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 lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The White House relented after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next heads to Trump for his endorsement. He signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the outcry over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who said he feared the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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