The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have waited long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. The president signaled on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their representatives who were watching from a public section, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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