The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
This legislation next goes to Trump for his endorsement. The president signaled on the previous day that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for months downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who expressed concern he was concerned the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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