The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of official records associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Future Action
The bill next goes to the president for his endorsement. He signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would disclose identifying details of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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