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 pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to the president for his endorsement. The president stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Though the president has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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