The upper chamber of Congress on Tuesday gave swift approval to a measure that will force the release of official records related to the deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a overwhelming vote in the lower house and a reversal by Donald Trump and his GOP allies. The administration relented after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a scandal that has followed the president since his return to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by general agreement, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
The public have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader declared in a Senate remarks on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to approve it without opposition. “Uncover the facts. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to Donald Trump for his approval. Trump signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the outcry over the official management of the investigation as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and stated he would give his assent if it is presented to him.
Response
Democrats, along with survivors of Epstein and their representatives who were present in a House gallery, broke into applause after the bill was passed. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he worried the measure would make public identifying details of individuals involved, persons of interest and others involved in the investigation.
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