The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of official records concerning the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. He indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Even though the president has for months downplayed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, cheered after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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