The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following a near-unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The White House gave in after months of trying to forestall the joint action involving a controversy that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, expediting the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
Citizens have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a address to the chamber on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. The president indicated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Even though Trump has for an extended period dismissed the uproar over the government’s handling of the investigation as a “false narrative”, he voiced approval for the House bill over the past few days, and said he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Support and Opposition
Democrats, along with those affected and their advocates who were present in a viewing area, applauded after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others caught up in the investigation.
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