The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to legislation that will force the release of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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