The Senate on this Tuesday passed without delay to a bill that will force the release of official records related to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, after a almost unanimous vote in the US House of Representatives and a reversal by the president and his GOP allies. Trump's team changed course after months of trying to block the joint action involving a scandal that has plagued the president since his comeback to the White House.
Expedited Passage in Congress
The Senate acted by consensus, which needs acceptance from each senator but does not require a recorded vote, expediting the process. Just before, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill on a 427-1 tally.
“The American people have been patient long enough. Jeffrey Epstein’s victims have suffered long enough,” the Senate Democratic leader stated in a floor speech on Tuesday, before asking the chamber to pass it unanimously. “Reveal the truth. Let transparency reign.”
Next Steps
The bill next heads to Trump for his endorsement. He signaled on Monday that he would sign the measure.
Although Trump has for months dismissed the controversy over the government’s handling of the scandal as a “political stunt”, he voiced approval for the measure over the past few days, and said he would give his assent if it comes to him.
Reaction
The Democratic party, along with survivors of Epstein and their supporters who were watching from a public section, broke into applause after the bill was enacted. The sole “no” vote came from a GOP representative, who stated he feared the measure would reveal personal information of people, those under scrutiny and others caught up in the investigation.
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