The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, accelerating the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have waited long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Reveal the truth. Ensure full disclosure.”
Next Steps
The measure next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the weekend, and said he would sign the measure if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were present in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who said he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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