The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a change of position by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration relented after months of trying to delay the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House voted decisively for the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the Senate to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Trump for his signature. Trump indicated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for months downplayed the controversy over the official management of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it comes to him.
Response
Democrats, along with victims and their supporters who were seated in a viewing area, broke into applause after the bill was approved. The only opposition came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal specific data of people, potential suspects and others implicated in the investigation.
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