The upper chamber of Congress on 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 lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would reveal specific data of witnesses, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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