The Senate on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of official records concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the US House of Representatives and a shift by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to block the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has followed the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
The Senate acted by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
Citizens have waited long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the chamber to adopt it by consent. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Future Action
This legislation next goes to Trump for his signature. He signaled on Monday that he would approve the bill.
Though Trump has for an extended period downplayed the uproar over the official management of the Epstein case as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would give his assent if it reaches his desk.
Reaction
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their advocates who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. Lone dissent came from a GOP representative, who stated he was concerned the measure would reveal personal information of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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