The Senate on this Tuesday quickly approved to a bill that will force the release of official records concerning the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, after a near-unanimous vote in the House of Representatives and a shift by Donald Trump and his Republican allies. The administration changed course after months of trying to delay the joint action involving a controversy that has dogged the president since his comeback to the White House.
Unanimous Approval in Both Chambers
Senators proceeded by unanimous consent, which requires approval from each senator but does not require a formal roll call vote, accelerating the process. Hours earlier, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a massive majority.
“The American people have been patient long enough. The survivors have waited long enough,” Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech on Tuesday, before urging the Senate to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Allow openness to prevail.”
Future Action
The measure next heads to Donald Trump for his signature. He stated on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Though the president has for an extended period downplayed the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “Democrat hoax”, he voiced approval for the legislation over the weekend, and announced he would approve it if it comes to him.
Support and Opposition
The Democratic party, along with victims and their advocates who were seated in a public section, applauded after the bill was enacted. The only opposition came from a Louisiana Republican, who said he worried the measure would reveal personal information of individuals involved, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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