The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of official records associated with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader said in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next goes to the president for his approval. He signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for months downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the weekend, and stated he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Support and Opposition
Opposition lawmakers, along with victims and their supporters who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public personal information of individuals involved, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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