The Senate on Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of official records associated with the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House voted decisively for the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
The public have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” Chuck Schumer stated in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. He indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and announced he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a public section, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who said he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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