The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous 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 cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for months rejected the controversy over the authorities' approach of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the weekend, and said he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with those affected and their advocates who were watching from a public section, cheered after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of people, potential suspects and others caught up in the investigation.
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