The Senate on Tuesday gave swift approval to a bill that will force the release of official records related to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration gave in after an extended period of trying to block the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
“The American people have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited patiently,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though the president has for an extended period dismissed the controversy over the official management of the Epstein case as a “false narrative”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with those affected and their supporters who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from a GOP representative, who said he worried the measure would disclose identifying details of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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