The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by consensus, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
The public have waited long enough. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer stated in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his approval. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months dismissed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he expressed his backing for the measure over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their representatives who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would reveal specific data of people, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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