The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous 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 overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited patiently,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The measure next will be sent to the president for his approval. Trump stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months rejected the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the measure over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a House gallery, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal identifying details of people, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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