The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by the president and his GOP allies. The White House gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Congress
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Those affected have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Next Steps
The bill next goes to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would endorse the legislation.
Although Trump has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the official management of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was passed. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he feared the measure would make public identifying details of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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