The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team gave in after an extended period of trying to forestall the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his approval. Trump indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was approved. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he feared the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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