The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday quickly approved to a measure that will force the release of official records related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his Republican allies. Trump's team relented after an extended period of trying to delay the bipartisan effort involving a case that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Swift Approval in Congress
The Senate acted by general agreement, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a individual voting process, expediting the process. Earlier that day, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have waited long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before urging the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Ensure full disclosure.”
Presidential Signature
The measure next heads to Trump for his endorsement. The president stated on the previous day that he would approve the bill.
Though the president has for months dismissed the outcry over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “false narrative”, he expressed his backing for the legislation over the past few days, and stated he would approve it if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were watching from a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. Lone dissent came from a Louisiana Republican, who stated he was concerned the measure would make public specific data of witnesses, persons of interest and others implicated in the investigation.
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