The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a controversy that has followed 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 does not require a individual voting process, accelerating the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have endured sufficient delay. Those affected have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The bill next will be sent to Donald Trump for his endorsement. He indicated on the previous day that he would endorse the legislation.
Although the president has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would sign the measure if it reaches his desk.
Response
Opposition lawmakers, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were seated in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a Louisiana Republican, who expressed concern he worried the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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