The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration relented after an extended period of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Passage in Congress
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 427-1 tally.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to the president for his signature. Trump stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the controversy 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 sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public identifying details of witnesses, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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