The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of official records associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to the president for his endorsement. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a public section, cheered after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he feared the measure would make public specific data of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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