The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday passed without delay to legislation that will force the release of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a case that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Swift Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next will be sent to Donald Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although the president has for months dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who said he worried the measure would reveal personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others implicated in the investigation.
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