The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will mandate the disclosure of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has plagued the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a formal roll call vote, speeding up the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and stated he would sign the measure if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would reveal identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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