The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next will be sent to Trump for his approval. Trump stated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Even though Trump has for months rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach 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 is presented to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, cheered after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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