The upper chamber of Congress on this Tuesday passed without delay to a measure that will force the release of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the lower house and a shift by the president and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to forestall the cross-party initiative involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his return to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which needs acceptance from each senator but avoids a individual voting process, speeding up the process. Earlier that day, the House passed by a huge margin the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have endured sufficient delay. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the top Senate Democrat declared in a floor speech on Tuesday, before requesting the Senate to adopt it by consent. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency reign.”
Presidential Signature
The bill next heads to the president for his endorsement. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though Trump has for an extended period rejected the uproar over the authorities' approach of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he signalled his support for the legislation over the past few days, and announced he would approve it if it reaches his desk.
Response
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from Clay Higgins, who expressed concern he worried the measure would disclose personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others involved in the investigation.
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